Curious about the Mac Tech job market in UAE

DaMacGuy · 24th April 2007, 04:58

I've been selling, servicing, or supporting Macs and Mac software since 1994. And a hard core user for a few years before that (bought a IIvx and Filemaker to catalog the college radio station's music library, used Mac Plus and Aldus Pagemaker to publish a monthly music fan'zine).

Currently I'm working towards my 7th year as an employee with CNN. I'm currently a systems engineer supporting our international crews with their MacBook Pros, Final Cut Pro, Hughes BGANs, and Sony cameras for live streaming video from just about anywhere on the planet. Before that I helped support the CNN.com newsroom (mix/mash of PCs and Macs).

[Edited out full history, anyone interested, send a PM: Admin]

What kind of prospects do you think I'd have? Is it reasonable to think I could find something equal to, or better than my current job (CNN is very nice with great benefits). Are work visas hard to come by (I'd think not with the number of ex-pats moving to Dubai)? What about housing, and consumables (groceries, gas, cars, etc).

Thanks!

crystal · 24th April 2007, 08:49

Well have you checked with CNN??? They have a place here at Dubai Media City. I would check with them, and see if they would move you over. Are you in Atlanta, now?

DaMacGuy · 24th April 2007, 15:34

Yeah, there's not much Mac work outside of the areas I'm already working in or have worked in (outside of Graphics). And the Dubai bureau is on the small side (10+ people).

Working in news can wear on you (it's amazing how jadded I've gotten over the last 7 years). It may be the work, or the environment. I've considered touching base with Al Jazeera - they've been hiring up CNN folks recently (mostly talent, I'm not kidding myself too much). I'm not even sure how serious I am - would I drop everything tomorrow? maybe. But it's always good to look around for your alternatives.

istara · 25th April 2007, 02:03

Unless you find a specific posting with a news network, your options could be quite limited.

In terms of selling Apple products, many people in the Mac stores here really are not experienced Mac users (at least that is my impression). They certainly aren't paid enough to be Mac owners, most of them at least. They are very nice and helpful, but most - and please correct me if I am wrong - appear to be from a general retail background, not an IT or Mac background.

Whereas I know overseas, from a recent Apple retail ad I saw in Australia, that sales staff are expected to be extremely knowledgeable and experienced in all the main applications. So I imagine the pay - while not amazing, because retail pay generally isn't - is much higher than here.

As for general Mac support, eg for a publishing company, I doubt the pay would be that wonderful. Dubai can be the land of dreams and opportunities, but only for certain segments. I know for example that staff that MBC relocated from London when they moved here were paid at the same rates. But staff they hired locally would have been on far, far less.

chicco · 25th April 2007, 22:16

Hi DaMacGuy,

Not to disappoint you or anything but I honestly believe that most companies will either:
1) Be smart about it and tell you that you are over qualified for the area

OR

2) Be ignorant and try to get you at a price they feel is good enough but would certainly be way below your market value

Companies here don't rely on standards, protocols and procedures.
It's about getting something to work at the lowest amount.

If I were you, I would consider starting a business on your own or with some one, that offered advanced business services with Mac products. Companies that offer such services are either charging too much or can't offer creative solutions. (At least, this is what I am led to believe).

Hope my 2 cents helps.

24th April 2007, 04:58	#1 (permalink)
DaMacGuy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2	Curious about the Mac Tech job market in UAE I've been selling, servicing, or supporting Macs and Mac software since 1994. And a hard core user for a few years before that (bought a IIvx and Filemaker to catalog the college radio station's music library, used Mac Plus and Aldus Pagemaker to publish a monthly music fan'zine). Currently I'm working towards my 7th year as an employee with CNN. I'm currently a systems engineer supporting our international crews with their MacBook Pros, Final Cut Pro, Hughes BGANs, and Sony cameras for live streaming video from just about anywhere on the planet. Before that I helped support the CNN.com newsroom (mix/mash of PCs and Macs). [Edited out full history, anyone interested, send a PM: Admin] What kind of prospects do you think I'd have? Is it reasonable to think I could find something equal to, or better than my current job (CNN is very nice with great benefits). Are work visas hard to come by (I'd think not with the number of ex-pats moving to Dubai)? What about housing, and consumables (groceries, gas, cars, etc). Thanks!

25th April 2007, 22:16	#5 (permalink)
chicco Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 59	You're over qualified Hi DaMacGuy, Not to disappoint you or anything but I honestly believe that most companies will either: 1) Be smart about it and tell you that you are over qualified for the area OR 2) Be ignorant and try to get you at a price they feel is good enough but would certainly be way below your market value Companies here don't rely on standards, protocols and procedures. It's about getting something to work at the lowest amount. If I were you, I would consider starting a business on your own or with some one, that offered advanced business services with Mac products. Companies that offer such services are either charging too much or can't offer creative solutions. (At least, this is what I am led to believe). Hope my 2 cents helps.

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24th April 2007, 08:49	#2 (permalink)
crystal Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi Posts: 412	Well have you checked with CNN??? They have a place here at Dubai Media City. I would check with them, and see if they would move you over. Are you in Atlanta, now?

24th April 2007, 15:34	#3 (permalink)
DaMacGuy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2	Yeah, there's not much Mac work outside of the areas I'm already working in or have worked in (outside of Graphics). And the Dubai bureau is on the small side (10+ people). Working in news can wear on you (it's amazing how jadded I've gotten over the last 7 years). It may be the work, or the environment. I've considered touching base with Al Jazeera - they've been hiring up CNN folks recently (mostly talent, I'm not kidding myself too much). I'm not even sure how serious I am - would I drop everything tomorrow? maybe. But it's always good to look around for your alternatives.

25th April 2007, 02:03	#4 (permalink)
istara Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 156	Unless you find a specific posting with a news network, your options could be quite limited. In terms of selling Apple products, many people in the Mac stores here really are not experienced Mac users (at least that is my impression). They certainly aren't paid enough to be Mac owners, most of them at least. They are very nice and helpful, but most - and please correct me if I am wrong - appear to be from a general retail background, not an IT or Mac background. Whereas I know overseas, from a recent Apple retail ad I saw in Australia, that sales staff are expected to be extremely knowledgeable and experienced in all the main applications. So I imagine the pay - while not amazing, because retail pay generally isn't - is much higher than here. As for general Mac support, eg for a publishing company, I doubt the pay would be that wonderful. Dubai can be the land of dreams and opportunities, but only for certain segments. I know for example that staff that MBC relocated from London when they moved here were paid at the same rates. But staff they hired locally would have been on far, far less.